Dark. Shocking. Sexually epic. Art-obsessed. And, if you can handle that kinda thing, actually pretty damn good. Those are just some of the ways critics are describing provacateur filmmaker Lars Von Trier's latest, Nymphomaniac, a two-volume excursion into hypersexed abandon, Volume 1 of which is making its way into FILM at Erie Art Museum tonight (Volume 2 screens Wednesday, April 23). Tickets are just $5.

7 p.m. // 411 State St. // facebook.com/FILMErieArtMuseum

NW PA Pride Alliance 2014 Primary Candidate Forum

With the May 2014 Primary fast approaching, now is the time for voters to become informed of the issues surrounding the election. Learn about the candidates’ stances concerning the LGBT community by stopping by the community room at First Niagara Bank, free of charge, with sponsors such as NW PA Pride Alliance, Erie Gay News, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality and Marriage Equality for PA.

7 p.m. // 810 State St. // 456.9833

thurs 4.17

An Introduction to Supreme Meditation

Become a part of the meditation and chanting revolution in Erie and find that your inner state is your fate with Shri Acharya Kedar. Free and open to the public, this evening of music, chanting, and reflection on the joy within may just be the first step to the rest of your enlightened path.

The worldview of Bangladesh — a nation seen simultaneously as one of the world's most impoverished and most opportunity-filled — is being discussed in detail by Dr. Syed Saad Andaleeb of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College tonight at the Jefferson Educational Society. Part of the Brock Institute for Mega Issues Education lecture series, "Poverty in Asia: The Enigma of Bangladesh" will focus on discussing the duality of the country, which has a burgeoning growth sector despite its challenges of governance, poor infrastructure and low human capital.

7 p.m. // 3207 State St. // jeserie.org // 459-8000

About Town with Erie Green Drinks: Sprague Farm & Brew Works

It’s craft beer and great company. Head into the country and join Erie Green Drinks at Sprague Farm & Brew Works. Sprague’s brew pub (aptly dubbed Bierhalla) is located in a refurbished barn. There you can enjoy a variety of their home grown beers as well as a selection of Pennsylvania wines. Food to order will also available from their kitchen.

5 to 8 p.m. // 22113 U.S. 6, Venango, PA // honeys@gbapgh.org

fri 4.18

Kev Rowe

While many Erities know him for his work in locally-loved Americana band Big Leg Emma, singer/songwriter Kev Rowe has got some serious solo chops as well. Rowe will be performing his intimate acoustic songs at the Brewerie, showing off his guitar skills and soothing voice, making for a wonderful way to kick off the weekend.

8 p.m. // 123 W. 14th St. // 454.2200

Esteemed Sculptures by Evan Everhart

Urraro Gallery is providing the space, Steve Trohoske and the Art Groupies are rocking the tunes, Penn Shore is pouring the wine, and Evan Everhart is exhibiting metal sculptures at this opening reception. So kick off the weekend the right way — with art, music, wine, and good times.

7 p.m. // 135 W. 14th St. // 455.6240

sat 4.19

Presque Isle’s 58th Annual Spring Clean-Up

Sometimes it’s easy to take living on the edge of one of the Great Lakes for granted, but it’s up to us to keep Presque Isle beautiful. So grab some buddies and head to the Rotary Pavilion between nine and 11 a.m. to help this cause. Materials will be provided at sign-in and lunch will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prizes will be given out to those with the strangest piece of trash.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. // Across from Beach 7 // trecpi.org

sun 4.20

Sunset Café Easter Brunch

Don’t feel like cooking for Easter this year? Dreading doing the unsurmountable amount of dishes afterwards? This is your chance to get out of it all. Head to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center’s Sunset Café for a delicious Easter Brunch of morning classics or filling entrées and stick around after to watch a movie on the Big Green Screen. Brunch prices are $18.95 for adults and $10.95 for children over age three. Call the Sunset Café for reservations.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. // 301 Peninsula Dr. // 833.7424

mon 4.21

Caesar Must Die

It’s Matinee Monday at LifeWorks Erie, and this time organization is showing Caesar Must Die, a documentary that shows how William Shakespeare’s words can impact anyone. Brothers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani take us inside of Rome’s Rebbibia Prison, where the inmates are preparing to perform Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. For just $6, you can enjoy lunch and a moving story about humanity existing even inside a maximum security prison.

406 Peach St. // 459.4132

tues 4.22

JES presents Cyberwar: What It Is and Why It's Going to Happen

With issues of national security out there in cyberspace and talk of "cyberwar" looming large in headlines of late, many may be left wondering just what that means — and, maybe just as importantly, what it does not. That's the focus of Dr. Dan Kuehl's lecture — "Cyberwar: What It Is and Why It's Going to Happen" — tonight at the Jefferson Educational Society. Kuehl, who teaches at Mercyhurst University's Institute for Intelligence Studies, is set to examine examine what might constitute a cyberwar, what such an event's impacts might be, and what elements of our society might be vulnerable and at risk.

7 p.m. // 3207 State St. // jeserie.org // 459-8000

Yep! Celebrity Karaoke and Bartending Event

A first of its kind – and a twist on a mainstream local event. Join yep! for a Celebrity Karaoke and Bartending Event. All proceeds from the event will benefit NAMI Erie. Singers go on 6 p.m.. This event is free for current yep! members, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership members and $10.00 for non-members.

5:30 p.m. // Jr’s Last Laugh, 1402 State St. // yeperie.org

wed 4.23

The Iconic Lincoln

An Edinboro professor questions whether Abraham Lincoln was the "Great Emancipator" or was forced by circumstances to act. This event is free and open to the public.

It’s been over five centuries since Machiavelli’s The Prince was published, but his words are still being discussed today. Dr. William Garvey will be giving a lecture at the Jefferson Educational Society on the influential Italian’s tome, providing a lesson on the controversial book and how Machiavelli’s lessons impact politicians today.

7 to 8:30 p.m. // 3207 State St. // 459.8000

thurs 4.24

Spring Gala

Erie Dance Conservatory will host its Spring Gala at the Erie Art Museum with dancers performing several original works from well-known U.S. choreographers. Get there early to enjoy hors d’oeuvres by Make It Fabulous. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door for $40 per person or $70 per couple.

6:30 p.m. // 20 E. Fifth St. // 476.7123

Veterans Resource Expo

Sen. Sean Wiley and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial present Veterans Resource Expo 2014 at the Hammermill Center at Gannon. This expo is free of cost and aims to “serve those who have served” by offering community resources to Erie veterans and their families such as housing, health, employment and education resources. Contact the Office of Senator Wiley at the number below for more information.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. // 109 Univerity Square // 453.2515

Thomas Dale

Comedian Thomas Dale is a rising star in the stand-up world, and now he’ll bring his talents to Jr’s Last Laugh. The native of Long Island was a finalist in the New York’s Funniest Competition and was a regular guest on Chelsea Lately in 2013. Dale will be in town for three straight nights starting this Thursday, so head to Jr’s for a gut-busting good time.

6:30 p.m. // 1402 State St. // 461.0911

fri 4.25

Chess in Concert

Come spend one night in Bangkok at this Erie Playhouse special event. This dazzling rock opera involves a romantic triangle between two players in a World Chess Championship, and the woman who manages one and falls in love with the other. It is set during the chess championships between Russia and America and against the background of the Cold War. It is also a dazzling rock opera from three giants of rock music – the men from ABBA and Tim Rice.

7:30 p.m. // 13 W. 10 St. // 454.2852

Wine and Beer Benefit for the San Miguel Del Lago Orphanage

Alcohol and good deeds combine for one big night at Voodoo Brewery, when the venue hosts the Wine and Beer Benefit for the San Miguel Del Lago Orphanage. For an advance donation of $25 or $30 at the door, you will be treated to Voodoo’s fine brews, wines from Pennsylvania, appetizers, live music by Ohio jam band Between The Lights, a silent auction, and two different raffles. That makes for a big night, which can all be made possible by making a big gift for the San Miguel Del Lago Orphanage.

7 to 10 p.m. // 215 Arch St., Meadville // annazoemusic@hotmail.com

sat 4.26

NEAC's Grapes and Galleries – Art Uncorked

Head to North East today to enjoy a perfect pairing — great local wine and great local art — during "Grapes and Galleries – Art Uncorked," an annual, everyone's-invited outing, hosted by the North East Arts Council, pairing participating local wineries with an array of local artists. With at least a dozen wineries, and almost twice as many artists, to stop in and visit, it's sure to be a day to delight the senses.

The Metropolitan Opera presents Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte, conducted by Music Director James Levine. Literally translated as “Thus do all [women],” the opera was first performed in Vienna 1790 and tells the story of two sisters whose lovers pretend to go off to war, only to try to prove the sisters’ fidelity by wooing them in disguise. For only $18 a ticket, this is an opera you won’t want to miss.

8 p.m. // 510 E. 38th St. // miac.mercyhurst.edu

sun 4.27

Erie Art Museum’s 91st Annual Spring Show

The sun is making regular appearances, the birds are singing, the bugs are crawling and the ground is no longer covered in that wet, white stuff we are all so fond of. It must be spring, which means it’s time for the EAM’s Annual Spring Show. Featuring work from artists in the Erie area and beyond, the show celebrates its 91st year, so take a couple hours to check out the work of the talented artists in our own backyard.

1 to 3 p.m. // 411 State St. // erieartmuseum.org

mon 4.28

Timeflies w/ Mike Stud

For many Gannon University students, the school year seems to go by rather quickly, so it’s appropriate that electro hip-hop duo Timeflies will headline the Activities Programming Board’s annual concert. Known for their singles “I Choose U” and “Never Grow Up,” Timeflies will be joined by fellow hip-hop artist Mike Stud to help celebrate another school year coming to a close.

7:30 p.m. // 109 University Square // gannon.edu

tues 4.29

Menopause The Musical - The Warner Theatre

Menopause The Musical spoofs "The Change" when four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra — and hot flashes, memory loss and an insufficient or excessive amount of sex. Set to timeless tunes from the '60s, '70s and '80s, this musical has been making women laugh from all over the world since its debut in 2001.